Point of sale (POS) systems are important for any retail business, as they support them in the checkout process and other backend operations. Among these procedures, a POS barcode scanner is an essential part of POS systems. It helps the machine recognize each item and complete the payment. This blog will give you the 5 different types of barcode scanner and their characteristics.
CCD/LED scanner
This is one of the most popular types of barcode scanner for POS systems in retail, which has a gun-like shape. CCD/LED scanners use many small LED lights that shoot directly at the barcode images. To recognize the products, users must put this scanner 3 to 10cm away from the barcode. CCD/LED scanners bring out the best in accuracy so that cashiers don’t have to take multiple scans at a time. The only drawback is its high price, however, the spend can be worthwhile thanks to the previously mentioned benefits.
Image/video-based scanne
As manifested by its name, this type of barcode scanner uses a small camera to capture the barcode’s image. Then it processes a complex digital decoding technique and shows the result. To use this scanner, cashiers have to put it 3-9 inches away from the barcode. A benefit of using an image/video camera reader is great flexibility. Users can easily scan the barcode no matter how they position it against the reader. Due to the image-based method, an image/video-based scanner is highly suitable for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.
Laser scanner
This is the most affordable option when it comes to different types of barcode scanners. Laser scanners have a system consisting of several mirrors and lenses. This scanner may conduct 500 scans in a second, which can be mounted in a unit of scanning or a section of a handheld unit. Laser scanners can recognize the barcode up to 24 inches away. For these reasons, this type of barcode scanner is widely used in retail thanks to its affordability and ease of use.
Large Field-of-View readers
This barcode scanner can read barcodes in more complicated situations. It uses industrial cameras with high resolution to scan more than one barcode at the same time. This is why it is called ‘large field-of-view’ readers. After scanning multiple barcodes, the system can decode all of them instantly. Therefore, large field-of-view readers are suitable for inventory-rich businesses, such as warehouses or wholesalers, to read multiple codes with similar symbology.
Omnidirectional barcode scanners
Omnidirectional scanners make use of straight/curved scanning lines in different directions. Unlike other types of barcode scanner, this allows cashiers to scan barcodes from multiple directions. Omnidirectional barcode scanners are often found in supermarkets where there are many poorly printed or wrinkled barcodes. The omnidirectional scans make the checkout process happen faster with high accuracy despite the hustle and bustle in the background.
Wrapping up
Have you found a suitable type of barcode scanner for your business? We hope that this blog has provided some useful information about the different barcode scanner types for your consideration.If you are looking for a POS that supports barcode scanners, ConnectPOS is worth considering. Besides the basic barcode reading functions, this POS system also offers the top-notch PWA Consumer App for self-checkout with barcodes. You can start a free trial or contact our team for more information!
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